Stock Market & Financial Investment News

Sony and Samsung launching in-store shops at Best Buy stores, LA Times reportsSony (SNE) and Samsung (SSNLF) are set to launch in-store entertainment shops at Best Buy (BBY) locations in the U.S., the LA Times reports. Sony is set to launch 350 Sony Experience areas, while Samsung will launch around 500 Samsung Entertainment Experience areas at hundreds of Best Buy locations. Reference Link

T-Mobile releases teaser image of Samsung Galaxy S6, The Verge saysT-Mobile (TMUS) CEO John Legere released a teaser image of Samsung's (SSNLF) upcoming Galaxy S6 smartphone and also confirmed the carrier will offer the S6, reports The Verge, citing tweets and a T-Mobile website. The teaser image suggest a metal backing and curved screen edges on both sides of the phone. An official reveal is expected March 1. Reference Link

Sony breach underscored failings in corporate, government cooperation, WSJ saysA Wall Street Journal review of the hack attack on Sony Entertainment shows that the companies and government agencies fighting the hackers based some decisions on little information or consultation since the parties often held too closely to their own interests, illustrating major shortcomings in how the government and companies work together to respond to such attacks. The Journal cites interviews with executives, U.S. officials and people briefed on their conversations in its report. Reference Link

Sony may be contemplating replacing CEO Hirai with CFO Yoshida, NY Post saysSony may be considering replacing CEO Kaz Hirai with current CFO Kenichiro Yoshida, reports the New York Post, citing several Hollywood sources. Yoshida has received heavy media praise for his restructuring efforts and is currently set to add the title of executive deputy president in April. The article emphasizes that this is speculation among Hollywood figures. Reference Link

Samsung sees LoopPay tech built into smartphone hardware, TechCrunch saysSamsung will work to incorporate its recently-acquired LoopPay mobile payment technology directly into smartphone hardware, reports TechCrunch, citing statements by EVP and head of Samsung Mobile Injong Rhee. Rhee added that LoopPay is "compelling because of its coverage," as its technology allows it to work with roughly 90% of existing card payment terminals in U.S. stores. Samsung Innovation Center EVP David Eun noted the company will release new products incorporating the technology "in the near future" and hinted at the possibility of features like loyalty programs. Reference Link

Lionsgate and Samsung launch exclusive virtual reality experienceLionsgate (LGF) and Samsung (SSNLF) have teamed up to create the exclusive virtual reality experience "Insurgent- Shatter Reality". The four-minute visual work of art is a fully-immersive, 360-degree narrative experience set in the world of the upcoming feature film The Divergent Series: Insurgent.

Sony sets FY17 ROE target of more than 10%Sony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting and unveiled a mid-term strategy that charts the path forward for the company over the next three years. Sony said it will position Return on Equity as its primary key performance indicator and has set a target for consolidated ROE of more than 10% and a target for consolidated operating profit of more than 500B yen for the Sony Group in FY2017, the final year of its mid-range corporate plan.

IDC says Xiaomi outpaced Samsung for 2014 Chinese smartphone salesResearch firm IDC reports that Xiaomi achieved a 12.5% market share in China for 2014, while Samsung took second place with 12.1%. Chinese Q4 sales for Samsung fell to fifth place among smartphone makers, at 7.9% market share, down from 18.8% in 4Q13. IDC expects roughly 10% YoY growth for the 2015 smartphone market in China.